(…about faith, food, family and living a simpler life)

Posts Tagged ‘Autism’

I’d like you to play a game with me. It may or may not challenge how you view what happens in your life. It is a game that we play inside our heads most of the time without realizing it, so let’s call it out and look at it.

The game is called “Fortunately, Unfortunately.” Players take turns making up a sentence, alternately beginning with “fortunately” and “unfortunately.” Here is a sample game that my daughter and I played recently in the car.

ME: Unfortunately, it rained yesterday.

DAUGHTER: Fortunately, we got to go swimming anyway.

ME: Unfortunately, a boy who couldn’t swim fell into the pool.

DAUGHTER: Fortunately, some people got him out.

ME: Unfortunately, he was bitten by a rabid monkey.

DAUGHTER: Fortunately, an ambulance took him to the hospital.

ME: Unfortunately, the only doctor available was a podiatrist who knew nothing about rabid monkey bites…

You get the idea.

This is just a game, but we do this sort of evaluation in our minds thousands of times a day. An event occurs, and we immediately decide if it is fortunate or unfortunate. Admittedly, I often end up on the “unfortunate” side of the fence, but I’m getting better. I’m learning to look for the “fortunate” in a situation.

Now, there are too many truly awful things in this life for me to suggest to you that we should all just put on our Happy Meal glasses and ignore hurt, anger, sickness, or the presence of evil. No amount of denial can make these disappear. But I do suggest that we search for the good – for the God – in any situation.

Unfortunately, my adopted niece was just diagnosed with autism. Fortunately, God provided her with a twin sister who can come along side of her and understand her. Unfortunately, my brother and his family have a difficult journey ahead of them. Fortunately, they have a strong faith, and many loved ones to support them on their way.